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Jun 30, 2018 | by Cameron DaSilva, USA Today

Nearly two years ago, former Rams running back Isaiah Pead lost nearly all of his left leg after a horrifying car crash. Pead lost control of his truck after hitting a hole in the road while traveling more than 90 miles per hour, sending it more than 40 feet down an embankment on the side of a highway.

His NFL career was obviously over, but he wouldn’t let this devastating crash end his life as an athlete. Now 19 months removed from the accident, Pead is attempting to make the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo.

The former second-round pick is well on his way to making it as a sprinter, but he realizes he still has a long road ahead. But even to get to this point is a huge feat less than two years after losing part of his leg.

After running the 60-meter in 12.6 seconds – a new personal record – Pead knows he’s on the right track.

“These small victories, I can go home and beat my chest,” he told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. “Whatever goal I set, I’ll know I’m on my way there.”

Pead is inspiring a lot of people on this road to the Paralympics, but one man in particular is especially impressed: the man who drafted him.

Rams general manager Les Snead caught wind of Pead’s journey and couldn’t help but be inspired. Seeing a video of Pead running back in May even brought a tear to Snead’s eye.

“This isn’t a player with a rating on Madden. This is a human being,” Snead said. “He’ll always be a part of my life. What he’s doing now is inspiring.”

Pead admits he “definitely” misses playing football, and while he won’t be able to take another snap in the NFL, Snead hopes to get the former running back out to a Rams game in the future – even after past tension between Pead and the coaching staff.

“There may have been some dislike at the time, but the Rams gave me the keys to my dream,” Pead said. “I’d be open to anything they have to offer.”